Addiko Bank a.d. Belgrade is focused on advancing and growing it operations in Serbia through organic development, while it is characterised by its agility and speed of decision making
The world is changing fast, which is why the banking sector should also embrace new IT solutions and approaches that enable them to provide traditional services in an innovative way.
Are you satisfied with your business potential?
— Addiko Group is listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange and its shares are traded freely, which demonstrates our group’s transparency and also shows that investors are interested in our business. We strive to utilise that business potential and provide our shareholders with value through stable and sustainable operations. As a specialised bank, Addiko Bank a.d. Belgrade endeavours to achieve economies of scale in a manner that’s adapted to its business profile and the market in question.
The banks operating on our market are mainly universal, yet you decided to specialise?
— Addiko Bank specialises in fast and affordable cash loans. It is characterised by its agility and speed in decision-making processes, particularly when it comes to approving loans. This attracts clients seeking fast and efficient services, and our aim is to be the first choice for fast loans among Serbian citizens.
Digital transformation eases cooperation between banks and retail chains, providing clients with improved access to services and products
Through our mobile app, clients can receive loans of up to 600,000 dinars quickly and easily. This process takes an average of less than 15 minutes and is among the most automated services in the banking sector.
How do you view this challenging period, but also the banking sector’s potential and future?
— Economic crisis is evident across Europe. However, something that’s peculiar to our country, and that can be easily demonstrated, is that Serbia is contracyclical in relation to the European economy. This can be explained in part by the existence of major investment projects. Serbia has attracted FDI of around 13.5 billion euros over the last three and a half years. As a country, we have undergone a turnaround by shifting from an industrial economy to an export-based economy, which resulted in exports increasing from 11.5 billion euros in 2012 to 38 billion euros in 2022. Exports are expected to experience further growth, with estimates suggesting they will exceed 42 billion euros over the course of this year. These statistics point to a significant improvement in the economic situation and Serbia’s attractiveness to foreign investors.
Do you think the use of AI and AI-based solutions could really reduce banks’ operational costs by 30 per cent by 2030?
— Artificial intelligence can automate routine tasks, analyse data to assist in reaching better decisions, provide customer support via chatbots and virtual assistants, detect fraud, personalise product offers and help in managing risks. Banks in Serbia, including ours, are already applying digital innovations actively.
AI has the potential to improve banks’ efficiency and profitability. It is indeed estimated that, by using artificial intelligence, companies will be able to reduce their operating costs by around 30 per cent by 2030. Digital transformation eases cooperation between banks and retail chains, providing clients with improved access to services and products. I don’t believe automation will result in an increase in unemployment, but it will improve the efficiency with which human resources are utilised.